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There are specialty fasteners for every conceivable application, including fasteners that seal out moisture and can withstand harsh environments. For critical applications in aircraft, robotics, automobiles, military equipment, manufacturing, marine environments, and construction, you need fasteners that resist corrosion, withstand pressure fluctuations, and deliver lasting performance. That’s when engineers prefer ZAGO fasteners.
ZAGO is one of the latest brands to join the Bay Supply Marketplace. The company specializes in developing high-tech solutions, including sealing fasteners and components, that are designed to deliver lasting performance. It's common to use rubber washers and gaskets to create watertight joints, but washers aren’t foolproof. Rubber and plastic washers can leak if they aren’t installed correctly, and they deteriorate with time. The same is true of sealants. Many critical applications require fasteners that can withstand pressure, be reused without failure, and deliver guaranteed performance.
ZAGO has been an industry leader in sealing screws, nuts, and bolts since 1993. The company also manufactures sealed switches, switch boots, and waterproof covers for switches. To learn more about ZAGO and its specialized sealed fasteners, we spoke with the ZAGO team.
Delivering Superior, American-Made Products
ZAGO is a family-owned company headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, that manufactures American-made components. The company was founded more than 30 years ago as a small business at the New Jersey Institute of Technology Enterprise Development Center incubator. Today, ZAGO operates from a refurbished 100-year-old factory in the heart of the city, producing sustainable self-sealing fasteners and switch boots for customers such as Apple, Google, Ferrari, Bose, Lockheed Martin, and HP.
The company manufactures a range of components, including self-sealing fasteners, sensors, switch boots, rocker switches, rotary boots, switch covers, and other specialized components.
“We are a buy-American company,” Luciano said. “We have a very short supply chain and a very close relationship with our vendors to ensure we get great quality raw materials. We have quality processes in place from the time the raw material arrives until the parts leave our factory. Every product gets inspected multiple times to ensure every part meets our customers’ needs.”
Innovative Design for Lasting Reliability
ZAGO fills a vital niche in the fastener market. Rubber gaskets and O-rings deteriorate over time, creating issues for joints that require a moisture-proof or airtight seal. Exposure to chemical solvents, pressure, and temperature fluctuations can significantly reduce the lifespan of rubber sealants. Rubber washers and rings fail to meet military specifications due to these shortcomings. Additionally, rubber washers aren’t reusable, which can impact equipment maintenance and repairs.
To address these issues, ZAGO has developed a line of specialty fasteners designed to resist exposure to gases, chemicals, dust, dirt, salt water, and other corrosive and contaminating substances. ZAGO sealing screws, bolts, nuts, and washers have a rubber O-ring gasket as part of the fastener. These built-in gaskets provide a reliable seal, are reusable, and tamperproof. ZAGO uses the same sealant technology in its sealed switches and switch boots, protecting electronics from harsh environments.
“What sets ZAGO apart is our ability to meet customers’ unique requirements and our attention to detail,” Penafiel said. “ZAGO fasteners and switch boots are specified for many industries and applications. For example, we provide the sealed controls for deep-sea applications, such as underwater robotics.”
In addition to blue ocean gear, ZAGO components are used in aerospace applications, providing reliable sealed joints and switches. Components are also used in automobile manufacturing, solar energy systems, medical equipment, and other applications that require a reliable seal against external contaminants.
Reaching a New Generation of Digital Customers
ZAGO sells most of its components through distributors and original equipment manufacturers, with a small number of direct sales customers. Registering with the Bay Supply Marketplace enables ZAGO to connect with digitally savvy purchasing agents who conduct most of their procurement online.
Because ZAGO offers a unique line of fasteners and boot switches, the company needs to be visible to buyers seeking specialized solutions. The marketplace provides ZAGO with an opportunity to educate buyers about alternatives to sealing fasteners and rubber washers.
“Today’s buyers have grown up in the world of the internet, and we need to expand our online presence to stay competitive,” Penafiel said. “Bay Supply has created a fastener sales platform that simplifies transactions, making it easy to quote and fulfill orders. We are already seeing results from the online RFQ process.”
The ZAGO team anticipates a continued demand for American-made sealed fasteners and switches, driven by the need to protect equipment from moisture, dirt, and other contaminants. As customers seek out specialty fasteners to meet their needs, ZAGO’s partnership with Bay Supply will help reach the next generation of digitally savvy buyers seeking high-quality fasteners made in the U.S.
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